17 July 2016 – Three law enforcement officers were killed and three others
injured in a shooting Sunday in Baton Rouge, officials said.
The suspect has been identified as Gavin Long, a 29 year old former
Marine who was also killed in a gun battle with police. According to a
military source, Long left the Marines in 2010 with an honorable discharge.
His final Marine rank was E-5 (sergeant).
Gavin turned 29 years old on the day that he carried out the attack on the
Baton Rouge officers. Two other suspects may also be at large, according
to authorities.
The shooting — which happened just before 9 a.m., less than 1 mile from
police headquarters — comes amid spiraling tensions across the city,
Louisiana’s capital — and the country — between the black community
and police.
The races of the suspects and the officers in Sunday’s shooting were not
immediately known.
A police robot was brought in to ensure there were no explosives on the
dead suspect or in the vicinity.
A witness told WBRZ-TV, a man was dressed in black with his face
covered was shooting indiscriminately when he walked out between a
convenience store and car wash across from Hammond Air Plaza.
Multiple police units were stationed at Our Lady of the Lake Regional
Medical Center, where the officers were taken. A police officer with a
long gun was blocking the parking lot at the emergency room.
Spokeswoman Ashley Mendoza said the hospital received five patients
from the police shooting, all “law enforcement professionals.” Of the two
who survived the shooting, one is in critical condition and the other is in
fair condition.
This is a developing story and more information will follow when available.